Effect of air filtration on house dust mite, cat and dog allergens and particulate matter in homes

Abstract

Abstract Background Indoor allergens (i.e. from mite, cat and dog) are carried by airborne particulate matter. Thus, removal of particles would reduce allergen exposure. This work aims to assess the performance of air filtration on particulate matter and thus allergen removal in 22 bedrooms. Methods Indoor air was sampled (with and without air filtration) with a cascade impactor and allergens were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Particulate matter (including ultrafine particles) was also monitored. Results The median of allergen reduction was 75.2% for Der f 1 (p 10 and PM2.5–10, p 0.05). PM was reduced in all fractions (p 10 and for pet allergens in the PM2.5–10. Conclusions Air filtration was effective in removing mites, cat and dog allergens and also particulate matter from ambient indoor air, offering a fast and simple solution to mitigate allergen exposome.

Keywords

• air filtration
• HEPA
• indoor allergens
• particulate matter
• UFP